Analysis of a Tubular Torsionally Resonating Viscosity–Density Sensor
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Institute of Computational Physics, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, ZHAW, 8400 Winterthur, Switzerland
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Faculty of Engineering Science and Technology, Department of Automation and Process Engineering, The Arctic University of Norway, UiT, P.O. Box 6050 Langnes, 9037 Tromsø, Norway
3
Rheonics GmbH, 8406 Winterthur, Switzerland
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Sensors 2020, 20(11), 3036; https://doi.org/10.3390/s20113036
Received: 9 April 2020
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Revised: 11 May 2020
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Accepted: 25 May 2020
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Published: 27 May 2020
(This article belongs to the Section Physical Sensors)
This paper discusses a state-of-the-art inline tubular sensor that can measure the viscosity–density of a passing fluid. In this study, experiments and numerical modelling were performed to develop a deeper understanding of the tubular sensor. Experimental results were compared with an analytical model of the torsional resonator. Good agreement was found at low viscosities, although the numerical model deviated slightly at higher viscosities. The sensor was used to measure viscosities in the range of 0.3–1000 mPa·s at a density of 1000 kg/m3. Above 50 mPa·s, numerical models predicted viscosity within ±5% of actual measurement. However, for lower viscosities, there was a higher deviation between model and experimental results up to a maximum of ±21% deviation at 0.3 mPa·s. The sensor was tested in a flow loop to determine the impact of both laminar and turbulent flow conditions. No significant deviations from the static case were found in either of the flow regimes. The numerical model developed for the tubular torsional sensor was shown to predict the sensor behavior over a wide range, enabling model-based design scaling.
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Keywords:
viscometer; viscosity–density sensor; viscosity measurement; torsional resonator; fluid–structure interaction
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MDPI and ACS Style
Brunner, D.; Goodbread, J.; Häusler, K.; Kumar, S.; Boiger, G.; Khawaja, H.A. Analysis of a Tubular Torsionally Resonating Viscosity–Density Sensor. Sensors 2020, 20, 3036. https://doi.org/10.3390/s20113036
AMA Style
Brunner D, Goodbread J, Häusler K, Kumar S, Boiger G, Khawaja HA. Analysis of a Tubular Torsionally Resonating Viscosity–Density Sensor. Sensors. 2020; 20(11):3036. https://doi.org/10.3390/s20113036
Chicago/Turabian StyleBrunner, Daniel, Joe Goodbread, Klaus Häusler, Sunil Kumar, Gernot Boiger, and Hassan A. Khawaja. 2020. "Analysis of a Tubular Torsionally Resonating Viscosity–Density Sensor" Sensors 20, no. 11: 3036. https://doi.org/10.3390/s20113036
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